Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci said Thursday that morale is low in the Trump administration, which is ruled by fear under Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, and it’s triggering departures,
“I talked a little bit of smack about two guys we’re trying to get rid of, and he fires me in five seconds. These guys are smacking up their wives, and he’s trying to figure out a way to keep them inside the White House. So it’s very dishonest for me,” Mr. Scaramucci said on CNN.
Mr. Kelly fired Mr. Scaramucci after he gave an obscenities-laced interview about former Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and former chief strategist Steve Bannon. Mr. Scaramucci said he was upset about Mr. Kelly’s subsequent decision to keep former aide Rob Porter, despite two allegations of domestic abuse that appeared in his clearance check, but said his grievance against Mr. Kelly isn’t personal.
“The morale is terrible. And the reason why the morale is terrible is because the rule by fear and intimidation does not work in a civilian environment,” he said.
He said that Mr. Kelly, a former Marine general, has also restricted access to Mr. Trump, including from those most loyal to the president. Mr. Scaramucci said that whenever he is invited to the White House, Mr. Kelly blocks him from the Workers and Visitors Entry System, known as WAVES.
Mr. Scaramucci predicted more resignations due to Mr. Kelly’s leadership style, but did not say specifically who he thought may also depart the White House.
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• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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